pessimistic

[pes-uh-mis-tik]

adjective

1. pertaining to or characterized by pessimism or the tendency to expect only bad outcomes; gloomy; joyless; unhopeful.

   His pessimistic outlook kept him from applying for jobs for which he was perfectly qualified.

   Synonyms: hopeless, despairing

Other Word Forms

• pessimistically adverb
• nonpessimistic adjective
• nonpessimistically adverb
• overpessimistic adjective
• overpessimistically adverb
• unpessimistic adjective
• unpessimistically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pessimistic¹

First recorded in 1865–70; pessimist + -ic

Synonym Study

See cynical.

Example Sentences

Expectations are low, with a sense that the most pessimistic scenarios are more than priced in.

Read more on Barron's

Nike’s stock has entered a pessimistic technical formation called a “death cross,” a sign of the tough times the sneaker maker has encountered.

Read more on MarketWatch

A Turkish contractor, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, was pessimistic after a month on the front line, where decent food and water are often scarce.

Read more on Barron's

It asked six other questions to determine whether each respondent was optimistic or pessimistic about the economy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That is the most pessimistic outlook since the first year of the pandemic, according to the survey, which is widely seen as an early signal of graduate hiring each year.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bleak 
• depressed 
• despondent 
• discouraged 
• fatalistic 
• gloomy 
• glum 
• sad